MARAHUYO: The Tale of Maharlika

CHAPTER FOUR

Days later, Maharlika attended a birthday party of her classmate, a very good friend named Irene in a resort located in Kimaya, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. It was Irene’s 17th birthday and only few people were invited to her little celebration. They had their fun with their little circle, having pool games such as whoever-reach-the-edge-of-the-swimming-pool or breathing contest under the water or playing tag or just enjoying the facilities and the slides. It was already 6 PM and they were already exhausted so they took their rest in their cottage and ate the food that were still available. Then they took their baths while also enjoying the remaining of their time with girls talk until the closing time of the resort.
 
They finished packing all of their stuff to the van, courtesy of Irene, then they started to drove back to the city. Irene’s parents were at the front seat, her dad was driving and the rest of them were at the back, continuing their talk from the resort.
 
It wasn’t long until the conversation turned into the supernatural which are mostly ghosts but then the topic switched into engkanto when Irene’s mother shared a recent story she had heard about a kapre from the workers in the resort.
 
She said that according to the workers, there were a big mango tree beside their neighboring resort and it was thought to be the home of the kapre. Not believing the existence of the kapre, the owner of the neighboring resort cut down the tree as it hinders them to expand more the resort despite the warnings coming from the elders in that area. Because of this, there were many accidents in that resort that was believed to be the actions of the vengeful kapre.
 
Upon hearing the story, Irene and her friends had their hairs tingling because of fear and they immediately switched the conversation to ease up the tension. One friend jokingly said that it probably a marketing stunt made by the competitors to scare people off from going on the said resort then they all just laugh it off as it probably made the most sense, the most rational thought to grasp but Maharlika knows that something unknown is behind those accidents and she will find that out.
 
As soon as Maharlika were fetched off to her house and also bid goodbye to the birthday girl & her friends, she immediately told her mother about the story she had heard.
 
“Have you had any cases with kapres before, Mama?” Said the curious daughter.
 
Which Gabriela replied, “Well, not with a vengeful kapre.” She then added, “They sometimes offer friendship with humans and most particularly to a girl because of love but in my case, it’s just pure ‘friendship’.”
 
“Are you sure?” Maharlika asked.
 
“It just so happens that I can see the kapre because of my abilities and I just helped him to find another home as the tree that it was living was chopped down.” She responded. “And it was also just a mere coincidence that I was there to help thus, avoiding it to become a vengeful being.”
 
“We better look at this case, Ma.” Maharlika stated. “I will probably ask Diwata about this as I think she knows a lot about this kind of stuff as you know, this may be inside her jurisdiction.”
 
“That is probably the best way to approach it.” Her mother agreed. “Anyways, I’ll cook dinner for Miguel as he is now coming home from work and you do your routine spiritual manifestation.” She added.
 
Maharlika agreed and she immediately went to their meditation room and simply entered the spiritual realm. Diwata was already waiting for her there.
 
“I already knew what you came here for, my dear Maharlika.” The goddess said as she invited the girl to follow her. “Lets take a walk while we talk.”
 
“My goddess, as you already know, our current case is with a kapre though we really haven’t started our own investigation about it because I took it upon myself to take that as our case so I hope you don’t mind.” Maharlika said as she fiddled with her thumb.
 
Upon hearing the plea of her babaylan, the goddess stopped in her tracks, looked to the girl and smiled. “I see no problem with your initiative, Maharlika and truthfully, I am beyond grateful that you want to take action.” Diwata replied. “The kapres are known to be creatures that usually doesn’t do any harm to any humans and they may also be friendly but only to their selected people as only few are able to see them.” She then added, “The kapre in subject lost its home and the story you’ve heard is true though I deeply understand that humans no longer believe that mythical creatures such as kapre exists, it is truly sad that it is becoming a vengeful being.”
 
Maharlika kneeled and said, “Please tell me your orders for the kapre, my Diwata, and I shall do my very best to complete the mission successfully.”
 
“I think the best course of action is first, you search for a new tree, a new home for the creature. Second, find the kapre and ensure that harm will no longer befall to the humans regarding the situation. Third one is to negotiate but if the kapre is beyond help and it continued with its vengeful acts, you are expected to execute the creature accordingly.”
 
The babaylan kneeled and bowed, “It is my pleasure to be of your service, our Diwata.” She then added, “Thank you for your help, my goddess.”
 
As Maharlika was about to exit the spiritual realm, Diwata gave a piece of advice to the lass. “Please be careful, my dear Babaylan. Kapres are a known to be a force to be reckoned with.” Maharlika nodded in reply and in a second, she already returned to the human world.
 
As soon as she opened her eyes, she was baffled to see Miguel in front of her, meditating. She snapped in front of Miguel’s face to be certain if Miguel already entered the spiritual realm or not but unfortunately, due to Maharlika’s action, she agitated her poor friend – disturbing him from entering the spiritual realm.
 
Miguel had a hard day at work and somehow, he was really close in blowing his mind off as it really take him time in practicing his spiritual manifestation and his dear friend interrupted him in the middle of his meditation. He sent daggering looks to Maharlika then yelled to himself, “PATIENCE, MIGUEL! PATIENCE.” He said as he took a heavy breath, controlled his anger then continued to close his eyes.
 
Maharlika whimpered in silence then slowly and quietly left the meditation room.
 

[ MTTM Archives ]
·        Engkanto – It is a bracket term for enchanted human-like beings of the land which includes a variety of mythical races.
·        Kapre – In Philippine folklore, the kapre is a creature that may be described as a tree giant, being a tall (7 to 9 ft), dark-coloured, hairy, and muscular creature. Kapres are also said to have a very strong body odour and to sit in tree branches to smoke.